James Noah Joyner in China

James Noah Joyner (1888-1972), the son of James Yadkin and Effie (Rouse) Joyner, worked for the British-American Tobacco Company in China from 1912 until 1935. Managing sales of cigarettes made by B.A.T., he traveled extensively and lived in several cities, including Changsha and Kiukiang. After resigning his position with B.A.T. he returned to his native state of North Carolina, where he operated the family farm near LaGrange. Joyner’s papers, which include correspondence, financial records, photographs and reports, reflect the nature of his work as a tobacconist and shed light on the social life he experienced among Occidentals in China. This undated photograph shows Joyner (fourth from left, standing in rear) at a masquerade party attended by friends and colleagues in China. The finding aid for the James N. Joyner Papers is located at Manuscript Collection #429